Chargé d’Affairs Writes an Op-ed in Hospodárske noviny about US-Russia Relations

July 21, 2009

Chargé d’Affairs Keith Eddins on Monday published an essay in the Slovak daily Hospodárske noviny about President Obama’s recent visit to Moscow. The essay comes at an important time, just days after 22 Central and Eastern European policy-makers and intellectuals sent an open letter to President Obama urging him not to forget this region while dealing with Russia. President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have promised to “reset” the relationship between Russia and the U.S., replacing historic tensions with a hard-working cooperation. The July 16 open letter, whose signatories include Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa, affirms the role of the United States in building a stable Europe, and argues that American support is still needed to ensure that Central and Eastern Europe remain strong, western-oriented democracies. Mr. Eddins writes that the recent meeting in Moscow is part of an effort that will be globally beneficial, with talks on issues such as nuclear proliferation and the NATO mission in Afghanistan. The United States will continue to support democratic governments and civil society groups around the world, as they have been “America’s most enduring allies,” said Mr. Obama. The challenges Mr. Obama spoke about in Moscow are global, as are the benefits that will arise from resolving them. (Full Text (PDF 26K))